Program Overview
Acupuncture has evolved since thousands of years. Recent investigations demonstrate by fMRI how fast the stimulus travels and affects the brain arriving at 200 milliseconds or almost instantaneously. The response of the stimulus should yield an effect as fast as it arrives, at least in pain control. This fast response characterizes the Balance Method from I-Ching Acupuncture. If we place the needle in the correct spot the response should be immediate, within seconds or minutes after.
This requires a good knowledge of the Shu Points or Command Points, also known as Antique Points. These points are located distal to the Elbow and Knee. It requires knowledge of the different balancing systems, of the correspondence of the 12 joints, of the Imaging and Mirror concept, of the Global Balance concept, the 12 magical points, of the Ba-Gua, and the trigrams and hexagrams, of the 5 Elements Theory, Seasonal Balance and more. This knowledge will allow us to use distal more energetic points to obtain immediate results.
This program has been approved for 84 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.
Program Goals
Learn Three-Step Strategy to immediately and effectively treat all localized symptoms such as pain, numbness, stiffness, tingling or burning sensations, etc.
Understand several of the Masters famous 6 Systems of balancing for external and internal disorders
Learn how to Balance for Internal Disorders such as genitourinary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, 5 sense organs, and more using Ba Gua, hexagram Meridian Conversion
Learn to balance the whole meridian or several meridians at the same time with only 4, 8, 9, or 12 needles
Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncture Certification Track
Taught in English
For veterinarians & veterinary students only
84 RACE approved CE hours
Curriculum
Prerequisites
Students wishing to enroll in the Balance Method course must have basic knowledge of TCVM, and must fulfill ONE of the following two requirements:
- Completion of at least ONE session of veterinary acupuncture at Chi or another accredited institution
- Completion of the TCVM Fundamental Theories lecture series online module
TCVM Fundamental Theories
Basic Yin Yang Theories
1h
Eight Principles
1h
Five Elements
2h
Veterinary Acupuncture - Scientific Basis
2h
Session 1
Introduction to Balance Method I - IV
4h
Breaking Down Yin Yang
1h
From WuJi to TaiJi in Balance Method
1h
The Six Levels
1h
Drawing Ba Gua
1h
Drawing Fu Xi and Wen Wang
1h
Developing the 6 Systems
1h
The Holographic Concept Mirror and Image
1h
System 1
1h
Developing System 1
1h
Creating System 2
1h
Finishing System 2
1h
Developing System 3
1h
Conclusion of System 3
1h
Developing of System 4
1h
System 5 and 6
1h
Drawing the Matrix of 6 Systems
1h
Cases Using the Matrix I & II
2h
Case Discussions with Matrix
1h
Canine Acupoints Demo for Balance Method
3h
Equine Acupoints Demo for Balance Method
3h
The 5 Command Points
2h
Diagnosis by Acupuncture Ways
1h
Diagnosis Final
1h
Scalp Acupuncture
1h
Session 2
Review of the Balance Method Systems
2h
Review of the Meridians and The Shu-Transportation Distal Acupuncture Points
2h
Lab: Balance Method Distal Acupoint Locations
4h
Lab: Case Exam, Diagnosis, Discussion, and Treatment
12h
Session 3
Introduction & Review
2h
Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture
1h
Tail Acupuncture
1h
Clinical Cases Using Balance Method
1h
Introduction to Global Balance I & II
2h
Skin Conditions
1h
Taiyin/Yangming Pattern
1h
Approaching the Five Sense Organs
1h
Ear Issues and Five Senses
1h
Nose and Mouth Issues
1h
Abdominal Issues
1h
Digestive Disorders
1h
8 + 1 Exceptional points for Digestive Disorders
1h
Jueyin/Yangming Pattern
1h
Side Issues
1h
Hormonal and Reproductive Disorders
1h
Balancing Back or Posterior Issues
2h
Summary for Frontal, Sides and Back Issues
1h
The 12 Exceptional Points & Development
2h
Small Animal 12 Exceptional Points and Combinations
1h
Small Animal Case Discussions
1h
The Use of the 8 Extraordinary Meridians
1h
Seasonal Balance Method
1h
Hexagrams and Seasonal Balance
1h
Choosing the Correct Hexagram for a Given Time
1h
How to Choose Points According to Seasonal Balance
1h
Seasonal Balance Examples
1h
Conclusion of Seasonal Balance
1h
Introduction to Balance Method Use of the 5 Elements
1h
The Use of the 5 Elements Balance Method in Excess or Deficiency
1h
Balance Method Use of the 5 Elements Final
1h
Session 4
Final Review of Fundamental Principals of Balance Method
4h
Canine Cases using Balance Method
2h
Canine Case Presentations
2h
Equine Cases using Balance Method
2h
Equine Case Presentations
2h
CVBMA Certification
Students have the option to receive a certification as the Certified Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncturist. The certification is approved by Chi University and the World Association of TCVM (WATCVM). The requirements to obtain certification are as follows:
Be a veterinarian
Complete Sessions 1-4 of the certification track
Complete the 2 review quizzes with a score above 75%
Complete the final practical exam and written exam each with a score above 75%
Instructors
Antonio A. Alfaro
DVM, MSc, CVA, MSTCVM, CS & ELBMP
Dr. Alfaro received his DVM from Federal University of Parana in Brazil in 1975 and, in 1979, his Master of Science from the University of Minnesota with a focus on large animal surgery, radiology, and anesthesiology. In 2006, Dr. Alfaro became certified in veterinary acupuncture through Chi University, going on to obtain certifications in Veterinary Food Therapy (2005), Tui-na (2011), and Chinese Herbal Medicine (2017), followed by a Master of Science in TCVM (2018). During this time, he studied under Dr. Richard Teh-Fu Tan, achieving Silver Level Certification in Balance Method Acupuncture followed by Executive Level Balance Method Practitioner Certification from The Academy of Acupuncture Balance Method in 2018. Dr. Alfaro retired as Professor of Equine Surgery at National University, Costa Rica in 2005. He continues to lecture in Costa Rica and abroad.
Enrollment Options
Available Formats
Semester
2022
Schedule & Tuition
Session 1
ACUP2201 | Online
01/10/22 - 04/21/22
$750
Session 2
ACUP2202 | On-site in San José, Costa Rica
04/22/22 - 04/24/22
$1,000
Location
Club Hípico La Caraña
WQQV+348
San José, Piedades, Costa Rica
Day 1 | |
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Lecture |
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch Break |
1:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Acupuncture Point Lab |
Day 2 | |
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Lecture |
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch Break |
1:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Acupuncture Point Lab |
Day 3 | |
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Acupuncture Point Lab |
Session 3
ACUP2203 | Online
04/25/22 - 08/11/22
$750
Session 4
ACUP2204 | On-site in San José, Costa Rica
08/12/22 - 08/14/22
$1,000
Location
Club Hípico La Caraña
WQQV+348
San José, Piedades, Costa Rica
Day 1 | |
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Registration |
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Lecture |
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch Break |
1:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Acupuncture Point Lab |
Day 2 | |
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Sign-in |
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Acupuncture Point Lab |
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch Break |
1:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Acupuncture Point Exam |
Day 3 | |
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Sign-in |
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Final Written Exam |
Payment Information
A $150 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.
Payment is due 60 days before the first day of each session.
A $50 convenience fee will be charged for payments and registrations received less than 60 days before the start of a session.
Add-ons & Prerequisites
TCVM Fundamental Theories
$100
CVBMA Certification
$350
Discounts
CVA Costa Rica Student Discount
-$350